by ann on October 19, 2009
In this time of economic hardship, it is more important than ever to build your skills and make yourself valuable. Spending just a few extra hours late at night building basic skills will eventually become worthwhile.
Let’s say you find the extra free time to build skills, how do you go about finding resources and ways to build skills?
Here is our suggestion- turn on that computer and start with these three simple methods.
1. Start a blog. As basic and simple this may sound, blogging is essentially another method of communication- particularly, writing. What better way to improve your writing skills than writing something you are interested about? The beauty of creating a blog is that you can kill two skills with one mouse: internet skills and writing skills. Using easy-to-use blogging websites such as Blogger.com,WordPress, Xanga, etc., you can create, write, design, post, link, insert, follow, add, manage…anything you want. Don’t forget to pick up The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White and The Stylebook by The Associated Press to help you edit and re-write.
2. Social network. Although, face-to-face networking is still essential and valuable, social networking is the new frontier yearning for use. Social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tagged, or Classmates.com enable you to brand yourself. As future professionals, we need to use the most up and coming methods to make yourself interesting and valuable. The nice thing is, once you master one site, it is relatively easy to transfer your skill-set to master another site. Be sure to keep your personal sites professional and valuable.
3. Help others. I think besides the obvious like getting a paycheck or promotion, the most gratifying thing about a job is being able to help others. If you’re not getting paid then why not still help others with your abilities? It can be something simple like offering to write a letter for a neighbor. It can be something more complex like creating a website or business plan for a local business. Helping others will allow you to brush up old skills and learn more. Furthermore, you never know who you may meet in the your journey…a Dean, an academic school counselor, or even admissions director?
Photo Credit: AlA.org
by ann on September 27, 2009
Your school counselor is a key resource for college preparation. They are hired to HELP YOU so take advantage of it! If you are stuck and don’t know what to ask him/her, start with this simple list.
- What high school elective courses do you recommend in my path to become a _________?
- Which AP courses are available and which do you recommend me taking based on my strengths?
- When do I prepare and take the PSATs, SATs, and/or ACTs?
- Can you please assist me with a college application timeline?
- What books do you recommend me reading in preparation for college and high school graduation?
- What are things I can do at home during the summer to get ready for college?
- What grades do I need to get in order to get into my colleges of choice?
- Can you put me in touch with anyone that can mentor in my path to college?
- What are some scholarships that I have a chance in winning and should look into?
- How do my grades and progress stands now and what do I need to do to get where I want to be?
by Mike on September 18, 2009
When filling out applications and doing entrance essays, you tend to want to downplay or simply ignore you weaknesses, any negative moments, or drawbacks in our past in the hopes that the college entrance executives will see what superstars you are and provide you with the ticket to join the educational establishment. However, I would like to challenge you not to leave those weaknesses behind but instead use them to your advantage. How you ask?
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by ann on September 7, 2009
College Prep is a crucial and overwhelming time in a high school student’s life. Students already juggle with classes, sports, clubs, homework, and family life. Preparing for college and working on applications is a whole other juggling act.
We have proposed a timeline just for you to help ease your worries and assist you in your college prep juggling act:
FOR SENIORS-
SEPTEMBER
- Visit and do research about your schools of choice.
- Write a list of colleges that you want to apply to. Don’t forget to include schools that are “possible” schools (ones that are challenging to get in) and “safety” schools (ones that are easy for you to get in).
- Request letters of recommendations.
- Schedule an audition (if applicable).
- Fill out your CSS Profile (Private School Financial Aid Form if you are applying to private colleges. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid is to be filled out in January.)
OCTOBER
- Register for State Applications for state schools that do not participate in the common application. Be sure to download supplements to the common application.
- Take last minute SAT Subject Tests or SAT/ACT Tests.
- Finish applications for early decision or early action including supplemental information, essays or DVDs.
- Finish your visit to College campuses.
- Request transcripts.
- Request SAT and ACT scores.
FOR JUNIORS-
September:
- Find a listing of test dates and plan out the year of what tests and when you want to take them. Register early so you can get the location of choice.
- Go talk to your guidance counselor and pepper her/him with questions about colleges and college prep.
October:
- Take the PSATs.
- Visit Colleges and start making your list of schools of interest.
In addition, don’t forget to give yourself extra time to study for the SAT/PSAT/ACT exams, write supplemental essays, and fill out forms. Also, be sure to pay close attention to important deadlines. Finally, visit http://aidscholar.com and start finding some scholarships to aid you in paying for college!
(Photo Credit: College Prep 101)
by Mike on August 13, 2009
We’ve recently partnered with America’s Promise Alliance as a way to show our commitment to helping students succeed.
America’s Promise Alliance’s mission is to ensure that all children are given the resources they need to succeed:
- Caring Adults
- Safe Places
- A Healthy Start
- Effective Education
- Opportunities to Help Others
An effective education is one of the key tenets of the Alliance. In today’s global economy, you need an education that prepares you with the skills and motivation for success. So while we don’t directly provide you with that education, we are committed to helping you afford it. We believe that by providing you access to an easy to use, comprehensive scholarship search engine – we’re doing our part in helping you succeed.
by Mike on August 12, 2009
College application time is an innately stressful event. However, it does not need to be the be all end all. Often times students will get so wrapped up in the “competitive” aspect of applying to college that the real “goal” is lost. It is difficult with constant ranking, scoring, and “sizing up” of one’s grades, test scores, extra cirricular activities and resumes. However, no good ever comes of panicking and getting overly stressed out.
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by Mike on August 7, 2009
It used to be that mostly students in the Mid West would take the ACT and on the coasts students would submit SAT scores to the colleges of their choice. But, as admissions have become narrower and more competitive and students applying more numerous, many students all over the United States are considering taking the ACT over the SAT.
The ACT is subject-based unlike the SAT that is geared towards general knowledge and application. Although SAT’s are more “mainstream” if a student cannot afford to take the expensive and rigorous SAT prep courses, the ACT can be a good alternative or addition to the SAT score. A good indication is if a student does very well in school subjects but has a hard time with hypotheticals such as those given on the SAT. Also, the ACT is shorter in length and duration than the SAT. If endurance is a problem, the ACT could be a great benefit. The ACT is almost 3 hours and the SAT is almost 4 hours.
If a student is more detail oriented and diligent in school, the ACT may be just the right exam to take since it would cover much of the same topics as those learned in school while the SAT is based upon random analogies, hypothetical questions, reading passages and math problems in puzzle form.
But I am by no means saying that every student should skip out on the SAT. But perhaps more consideration to the ACT should be given. Personally, it doesn’t hurt to take both exams so the schools can have a more well-rounded look at a student’s achievement and potential rather than one flat score from one exam. Taking both exams may also open up your chances for scholarship awards. The choice is yours.
Among the most important and useful resources that anyone can have is a mentor. Years of school and hours of research will never replace what advice and encouragement a mentor can do for someone looking to get into the right college or land a scholarship.
Here are some reasons why a mentor is valuable:
1. A mentor will encourage and motivate you when times are tough i.e. when you have an overload school work or receiving rejection letters.
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Before you start looking for scholarships and other sources of financial aid, it’s a good idea to understand how much money you really need. This way you have a hard goal you need to reach.
First, you need to estimate your expected family contribution (EFC). This measures your parents (or your) ability to pay for your schooling.
The formula for calculating EFC is quite extensive, here are just some of the things considered:
- Your family’s taxed and untaxed income
- Any assets or benefits
- Family size
- Family members attending college during the year
- Additional family members supported by head of household
While you could calculate all this using the FAFSA formula, I find it much easier to use online calculators. FinAid and Collegeboard both have good ones.
You also will need the cost of attendance (COA) from the schools you are interested in. Since each school has a different COA, you’ll need to find the exact amount on the school’s website.
To get the overall financial need (FN), subtract EFC from COA.
The formula looks like this:
COA – EFC = FN
Once you have your FN, you’ll know how much financial aid you need to find in order to pay for school. Now go out there and get it!
